Timing device for homing pigeons.



No. 73Q,208. PATENTED JUNE 2, 1903. V w. c. GEARY.

' V TIMING DEVICE FOR HOMING PIGBQNSf APPLIOATIOH FILED 10V. 28, 1902.

H0 IODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented June 2, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF JERSEY CITY, NElV JERSEY,

OF AMERICAN HOMING PIGEON FANOIERS,

A CORPORATION OF NElV JERSEY.

TIMING DEVICE FOR HOIVIING PIGEONS.

SPEGIFICATION forming part of Letter Application To all whmn it mayconcern.-

Be it known that I, WARREN C. GEARY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and StateofPennsylvania, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in TimingDevices for Homing Pigeons, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and X0 useful improvements intiming devices for homing pigeons of the general type shown anddescribed in the patent to T. D. Martinez- Oardeza, No. 591,985, datedOctober 19,1897; and it is the prime object of the invention to providea construction wherein the watchmovement cannot be tampered with whenonce set and to so mount the said movement in its box that an effort togain an accelerated operation of the timing device bya rotaryoscillation of the box will be entirely offset.

It is a well-established fact that any time. piece can be made to gaintime by imparting thereto a quick rotary oscillation, and it has beenfound that unscrupulous persons who enter their pigeons into competitiontake advantage of this fact, and while the timing device is in theirindividual possession they cause the same to gain time in the mannerstated, and thus turn in a false and unfair report.

As before stated, it is the prime object of this invention to overcomethe objection referred to, and this is accomplished by rotatablymounting the watch-movement in the box in such a manner that the saidmovement will remain at rest while the box is being oscillated. Henceany attempt to cause the movement to gain time by impartinga rotaryoscillation to the box will be unsuc- 4o cessful.

The invention has for its further object to provide novel and simplemeans for pivotally mounting the watch-movement within the box and forholding the same against rotation and stopped and for automaticallyreleasing the said holding and stopping means when the closure for theidentification-band compartment is moved over its opening.

To these and other ends the invention com prises the features ofconstruction and novel rangement of parts herecombinations and ar sPatent No. 730,208, dated June 2, 1903.

filed November 28, 1902- Serial No- 133,051. (No model.)

inafter referred to and then more definitely pointed out in the claims.

make, and use my invention, I will now proceed to describe the same,reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l isa top plan view of a box containing two watch-movements, the cover ofthe box being removed. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, thecover being shown in position. Fig. Sis a detail perspective viewlooking down into one of the watch-movement compartments and showing theshooting bolt, sliding plate, and the lower pivot for thewatch-movement. Fig. at is an end elevation of the box, showing thecover in locked position thereon. Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of one ofthe watch-movements, showing the under pivot-bearing bracket andalsothestoppingdevice. Fig.6isasideelevation of one of thewatch-movements, showing the upper and lower pivot-bearing brackets.

Referring to the drawing Fig. 1, the reference-numeral 1 indicates a boxdivided centrally by a transverse partition 2 to provide two separatecompartments for the timing devices and by a longitudinal partition 3 toprovide two band-retaining compartments. In each end of the boXis anopening t, which leads into the band-retaining compartments and throughwhichthe identification-bands may be passed. These openings are eachclosed or covered by means of a slide or closure plate 5, one of whichis arranged at each end of the box. Connected to each of saidslide-plates and arranged within the box is an inner slide-plate 6,having a recess or opening 7 therein, the purpose of which will bepresently explained. Arranged within each of the timing-devicecompartments adjacent to the longitudinal partition 3 is aspring-actuated locking-bolt 8, the forward end 9 of which is adapted tobe projected into the recess 7'in the inner slide-plate 6. The said bolt8 is normally pressed toward the plate 6 by means of a spring 10, oneend of which is secured to the bolt 8 and the other end of which issecured to the partition 3. The said spring 10 is coiled intermediateits'ends about a pin 12, and it will thus be seen that when In order toenable others to understand, I

' portion 7 of said plate arrives at a the closure-plate 5 is movedforward to close the opening4 the inner slide-plate 6 will'likewise bemoved, and as soon as the recessed point opposite the end 9 of. thelocking-bolt 8 said end will, through the medium of spring 10, be forcedinto said recess, and thus hold the closure-plate5againstwithdrawal.Thelocking-bolt 8 is also provided with a laterallyprojecting pin 13,and the partition 3 is 1ikewise provided with an outwardly-extending pin14, the'purpose of which pins will be hereinafter made apparent.Attached to the bottom of the box in each timing-device compartment is astepped bracket 15, the higher portion of which is provided with ajournalpin 16 and the lower portion of which carries a headed pin 1'7,which supports the coiled portion of the spring 10. Extendingtransversely across the top of the box and centrally thereof is a bar18, carrying on its underside two journal-pins 19, one of said pinsbeing located in each timing-device compartment.

The timing device or devices comprises a watch movement or movements, asshown in Fig. 1, said movements being each mounted or supported in acircular ring or band 20. Attached to said band and extending across theface of each watch-movement is a bar 21, having a centrally-arrangedopening into which the journal-pin l9 freely fits. Secured to the underside of each watch-movement is a three-armed bracket 22, said bracketbeing provided with a central aperture 23, into which the journal-pin 16freely fits. As will be seen by referring to Fig. 6, the three-armedbracket is offset and lies in a plane slightly removed from the bottomof the watch-movement. Pivoted at 22 to the said bracket 22 is anelbow-shaped stopping device 24, one end 25 of whichis bent upward andcarries a flexible tip 26, of rubber, leather, parchment, or othersuitable flexible material, which is adapted to be brought into contactwith the balance-wheel 27 of the watchmovement and stop the watch, allas more clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The said elbow-shaped stoppingdevice 24 is provided with an extension 28, which is adapted tocooperate with the pin 14 on the partition 3 in a manner presently to bemade apparent. The band or ring 20, that carries the watchmovement, isprovided with a recess 29, Fig. 6, into which the pin 13, carried by thelocking-bolt, passes, the purpose of said pin being to hold thewatch-movement against rotation when said movement is stopped. It willnow be apparent that by mounting the watch-movement upon thejournal-pins 16 and 19 the same will be freely supported thereby, andany attempt to cause the watchmovement to gain time by oscillating thebox -1, which contains the movement, will be unsuccessful, for by reasonof the pivotal mounting of said movement the latter will remain at restand not be affected by oscillations of the box.

When the watch-movement is set for operation, the same is pivotallysupported within the box as described, the bolt 8 being in the positionshown in Figs. 1 and 3, with pin 13 projecting into the recess 29 in theband 20, as shown in the left-hand side ofFig. 1, which holds themovement against rotation. The extension 28 of the stopping deviceprojects outward from the periphery of the band 20 and in line with thepin 14, and the flexible tip 26 of said stopping device lies in contactwith the balance-wheel 27 of the watch-movement. Assuming the parts tobe in this position, it will be seen that the watch-movement is heldagainst rotation and stopped, and at the same time the closure-plate 5is held back away from the opening 4, leading to the band-retainingcompartment. When a pigeon arrives at its left, the band is removed fromits leg and inserted through the opening 4 into the band-retainingcompartment. The closure-plate 5 is then moved over the opening 4, andthe locking-bolt 8 is automatically pressed forward by the spring 10forcing the end 9 into the recess 7 of the inner plate 6, thus lockingthe. closure-plate 5 over the opening 4. As the locking-bolt is shotforward, the pin 13 being in engagement with the watch-movement asdescribed will impart a quick rotary movement or spin to the watch, andat the same time the extension 28 of the stop device by coming intocontact with the pin 14 will throw the end 26 of said stop device out ofengagement with the balance-wheel of the watchmovement, and thus permitsaid movement to start, or, in other words, permit the watch to indicatetime, this indicating of time commencing immediately the closure-plate 5is moved over the opening 4 after the insertion of theidentification-band into the compartment provided therefor.

By the construction shown and described it will be seen that thewatch-movement is held stopped and against rotation when theclosure-plate 5 is open; but immediately said closure-plate is closedthe stopping device will be released, thus allowing the watch toindicate time. The watch-movement is at the same time freed and heldsupported upon its journal-bearings only. Thus any attempt to cause thewatch to gain time after it has once started by oscillating the box willbe unsuccessful.

The open top of the box is protected by a cover 30, having end flanges31, which extend down below the bottom of the box, the lower extremitiesof said end flanges 31 being provided with openings for the passage of aheaded pin 32, the withdrawal of said pin being prevented by means of apadlock 33, which passes through an opening in the end of said bolt, allas well understood in this class of devices.

.I prefer to provide each identification-band chamber with a tube 34,0faluminium or other material, said tube having its open end disposeddirectly opposite the band-opening 4 in such manner that the band whenpassed through said opening Willenter and be con fined within the tube.The object of the tube is to preventafine Wire beinginserted through theopening 4 for the purpose of getting between the cover 30 and box andtampering with the watch-movement, thus causing the same to indicatetime before the identification-band is inserted or, in other words,before the pigeon has arrived at its loft.

While I have herein shown and described a box having two watch-movementcompartments, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to thisnumber, for obviously I may use a box containingonly a singlewatchmovement or one containing more than two movements. Neither-do Iwish to be understood as limiting my invention to the preciseconstruction of box herein shown and described, for it will be obviousthat I may apply my rotatably-mounted timing device to boxes constructeddiiferently from the one shown herein. Likewise, I do not wish to limitmyself to the precise means shown and described for pivotally mountingthe timing device, as other means than thatherein shown may be employedwithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim is 1. In a device of theclass described, a case, a timing device freely mounted therein so thata rapid to-and-fro movement of the case will not affect the registeringmechanism of the timing device, means for holding the timing deviceagainst rotation, a stop device adapted to be brought into engagementwith the balance-wheel of the timing device, and means for releasingsaid holding means and for simultaneously moving the stop device out ofengagement with the balance-wheel.

2. In a device of the class described, a case, and a timing devicepivotally mounted to rotate therein in a plane perpendicular to thepivots so that a rapid to-and-fro movement of the case will not affectthe registering mechanism of the timing device.

3. In a device of the class described, a case, a timing device freelymounted therein,so that a rapid to-and-fro movement of the case will notaffect the registering mechanism of the timing device, and means forholding said timing device against rotation.

4. In a device of the class described, a case, a timing device pivotallymounted to rotate therein in a plane perpendicular to the pivots, andmeans for holding the timing device against rotation.

5. In a device of the class described, a case, a timing device pivotallymounted to rotate therein in a plane perpendicular to the pivots, meansfor holding the timing device against rotation, and means for releasingsaid holding means. i

6. In a device of the class described, a box, a timingdevice rotatablymounted therein, a stop device adapted to be brought into contact withthe balance-wheel of the timing device, means for holding the timingdevice against rotation, means for releasing said holding means, andmeans for moving the stop device out of contact with the balance-wheelwhen the said holding means is released from engagement with the timingdevice.

7. In a device of the class described, a box having an opening, aclosure for said opening, a lock for said closure, a timing devicerotatably mounted in said box, and means controlled by said lock forholding said timing device against rotation.

S. In a device of the class described, a box having an opening, aclosure for said opening, a lock for said closure, a timing devicepivotally supported within the box, and means controlled by said lockforholding the timing device against rotation.

9. In a device of the class described, a box having an opening, aclosure for said opening, a timing device rotatably mounted Within saidbox, a spring-actuated locking-bolt for said closure, and means actuatedby said locking-bolt for imparting a rotary movement to the timingdevice.

10. In a device of the character described, a box having an opening inone end, a closure for said opening, a spring actuated locking-bolt forsaid closure, a timing device rotatably mounted within the box, and apin carried by the said bolt and serving to hold the timing deviceagainst rotation when the bolt is retracted.

11. In a device of the class described, a box having an opening in oneend, a closure for said opening,'a locking-bolt for said closure,

a timing device rotatably mounted within the box, and a pin carried bythe said bolt and serving to hold the timing device against rotationwhen the bolt is retracted and to free the timing device'when the boltis moved to locking position.

12. In a device of the character described, a box having an opening inone end, a closure for said opening, a locking-bolt for said closure, atiming device rotatably mounted within the box, means for causing thetiming device to rotate when the bolt is moved to locking position, astop device arranged to engage the balance-wheel of the timing device,and means for disengaging the said stop device when the timing device isrotated.

13. In a device of the character described, a box having an openinginone end, a closure for said opening, a looking-bolt for said closure, atiming device rotatably mounted within the box, means for causing thetiming de- Vice to rotate when the boltis moved to locking position, apivoted stop device arranged to engage the balance-wheel of the timingdevice, and means for disengaging the said stop device when the timingdevice is rotated.

14. In a device of the character described, a box having an opening inone end, a closure for said opening, a locking-bolt for said closure, atimingdevice rotatably mounted within the box,means for causing thetiming device to rotate when the bolt is moved to looking position, astop pivoted to the timing device and arranged to engage the balance-Wheel thereof, and means for disenaging the said stop when the timingdevice is rotated.

15. In a device of the character described, a box having an opening inone end, a closure for said opening, journal-pins carried by said box, atiming device having brackets secured thereto provided with journal-pinopenings into which the said journal-pins freely enter, means forholding the timing device against rotation, and means for releasing saidholdin" means to permit the timing device to 1'0- tate on its pivots.

10. In a device of the character described, a box having an opening inone end, a ciosnre for said opening, a bracket secured within the boxand carrying a journal-pin, abarextending across the top of the box andcarry ing a similar journal-pin, a timing device arranged within the boxand provided with pins freely pass, a stop device pivoted to the timingdevice and arranged to engage the balance-wheel of the latter, means forholding the timing device against rotation on its pivots, and means forreleasing said holding means and for automatically moving the stopdevice out of contact with the balance-wheel.

17. In a device of the class described, the combination with a boxhaving an opening in one end, of a tube located within the box andhaving its open end disposed opposite the opening in the box, and atiming device mounted within the box.

18. In a device of the character described, the combination with a boxhaving a partition therein near one side dividing the box into twocompartments, said box having an opening in one end leading into one ofsaidcompartments, a tube in said compartment having its open enddisposed opposite said opening, and a timing device in the othercompartment.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WARREN C. GEARY.

Witnesses:

EDWARD M. MoLL, HARRY H. STODDART.

journal-pin openings into which said journal-

